Articles Tagged with lawyer

RECKLESS-DRIVING-scaledEach year, millions of victims suffer severe, life-altering injuries and tragic fatalities in accidents on the road. The roads in Western New York are dangerous enough without even considering reckless drivers. Reckless driving poses a substantial risk to the motorist, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and everyone else on the road. Unfortunately, many drivers engage in reckless driving despite knowing that these destructive behaviors considerably heighten their risk of causing a devasting accident. 

What Is Reckless Driving? 

In the 1990s, the term “reckless driving” emerged to describe dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle in any way that can cause danger to others on the road. 

Bicyclist-in-traffic-scaledEven the smallest car outweighs the sturdiest of bicycles by a considerable margin. When cycling, the protection offered to riders is minimal, almost non-existent. Cyclists are alarmingly vulnerable to severe injuries in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle. From bone fractures and traumatic brain injuries to organ damage and even death, the impact is bound to be life-altering. The financial ramifications of a car accident as a bicyclist can be grave, as emergency medical treatments and hospitalization typically come at a steep price.

Crucial Steps For Victims Of Car Versus Bicycle Accidents  

Suppose you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle. In that case, our battle-tested injury lawyers strongly recommend taking the following steps to safeguard your legal rights:

Blog-Best-Medical-Care-scaledAfter being involved in any car accident, your top priority should be your health. For those victims who sustain devastating injuries or worse, an ambulance will likely rush them to the closest emergency room for treatment. In this blog post, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s seasoned car accident lawyers in Buffalo, New York, would like to discuss how victims with minor to moderate injuries should obtain medical treatment. 

Far too many victims of car crashes fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of their injuries. Consequently, they often dismiss legitimate injuries as just being “shaken up” and fail to obtain the necessary medical treatment. Many injuries, such as whiplash and concussions, typically do not manifest immediately, and insurance companies are notorious for using delays and gaps in treatment against claimants.

Countless clients have come into our office saying they felt no pain at the accident scene or later that day. However, the following morning, they woke up barely being able to move with unbearable symptoms, such as pain, stiffness, dizziness, numbness, headaches, or nausea. A significant reason for this is that your body produces morphine-like endorphins, which effectively mask the pain. Never assume that your symptoms or pain will disappear on their own. We cannot stress enough the importance of getting checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after a collision. 

No-Win-No-Fee-scaledEvery year, millions of Americans are involved in car accidents and suffer devastating injuries or worse. Victims who are fortunate enough to survive severe collisions may need weeks or even months to recover. Instead of being able to earn a living, crash victims may be incapacitated or in too much pain to work. Even with the best medical insurance policy, hospital bills and other medical expenses can quickly pile up. Consequently, far too many car accident victims find themselves in demoralizing psychological, physical, and financial circumstances. 

At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our battle-tested car accident attorneys realize that pursuing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver may be the only way to begin your road to recovery. Jed Dietrich, Esq. believes every accident victim deserves highly skilled legal representation. The last thing that any car crash victim should worry about is paying a lawyer to fight their case. 

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Lawyers Work On A Contingency Fee Basis 

Winter-Car-Accident-Car-in-Winter-scaledUnfortunately, car accidents are a fact of driving. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a car accident occurs approximately every 13 minutes nationwide. In a single recent year alone, there were over 6 million crashes. This goes to show that even with all the modern-day regulations and advanced technology that make roads safer, collisions continue to be a primary cause of death and severe injuries in the United States.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s veteran car accident lawyers will discuss the most recent car accident statistics in this blog. This data helps provide critical insights into the leading causes of accidents, groups with the highest risk of becoming victims, and where and when crashes are most likely to occur. 

Important Car Crash Statistics 

Ins-Adjuster-Blog-scaledSuppose that you got into a car accident that was not your fault, and you sustained some unfortunate injuries. You are likely feeling highly stressed and overwhelmed. Filing an insurance claim is one of the most critical steps toward obtaining compensation for medical expenses, repair shop costs, missed work, and other damages.

You have probably heard horror stories about insurance adjusters. Some insurance companies are notorious for being difficult with their policyholders. Since New York is a no-fault state, regardless of who caused the collision, you must file a claim with your insurance company to recover compensation. Consequently, you should file an insurance claim as quickly as possible. Below are five tactics insurance companies may try to use against you:

  1. Acting Concerned: Adjusters may call you, pretend they are checking up on you, and offer sympathy. Please do not be deceived into thinking that they care. The truth is that the average insurance company cares more about saving money than helping you. Insurance agents often act like your friends so that you will let your guard down. Once they earn your trust, the adjuster may start questioning you to trick you into saying something they can use against you. 

top-5-car-accident-injury-blog-scaledAccording to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a recent year alone, approximately 2.74 million victims suffered severe crash-related injuries. Even minor collisions can have grave and lifelong consequences for victims. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our veteran car accident attorneys understand the profound impact that crash-related injuries can have on victims and, ultimately, their loved ones. Being mindful of the most common car accident injuries can help you be prepared to take the proper steps after your crash. 

Top 5 Crash-Related Injuries

Injuries resulting from car accidents tend to vary substantially from minor cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries and total paralysis. Some types of injuries are more prevalent than others. The majority of injuries caused by collisions are either impact or penetrating injuries. Impact injuries are generally caused when a victim’s body contacts part of the vehicle’s interior, such as your forehead hitting the steering wheel. On the other hand, penetrating injuries are usually caused by loose objects inside the car or shattering glass. In addition to the usual cuts and bruises, the 5 most common car accident injuries include: 

distracted-driving-BLOG-scaledAnything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road is considered a distraction. Updating social media, talking on a cell phone, reading emails, eating or drinking, and even daydreaming are just a few examples of distracted driving. Every distraction has the potential to endanger you, your passengers, and everyone else in your vicinity. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 20 percent of distracted driver fatalities involve victims who were not in vehicles, such as pedestrians, rollerbladers, and cyclists.

Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous

Recent statistics demonstrate that, on average, drivers are 30 percent more distracted than they were in previous years. Even simple distractions are much more treacherous than most drivers would ever imagine. A driver’s total concentration is a necessary factor in reaching his or her destination safely. Consequently, driving while distracted is easily one of the riskiest behaviors among drivers. Below are crucial reasons never to drive distracted: 

dog-blog-scaledMore than 4.7 million victims suffer dog bites throughout the United States each year. You may be surprised to learn that most of these bites involve domesticated rather than stray dogs. According to recent statistics, dog breeds like Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Wolf-Dog Hybrids, and Rottweilers are most likely to bite. However, the breed is not the sole factor in determining whether a dog will bite you. Hyperactive canines that are not adequately socialized and do not get enough exercise have the highest risk of biting.

In a recent year alone, approximately 20 percent of dog bite injuries were severe enough for the victims to require emergency medical treatment. Additionally, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that over a recent ten-year period, there were an average of 43 dog bite fatalities per year. Dog bites are notorious for causing devastating injuries, chronic health issues, and grave psychological wounds, especially in young children. 

How To Avoid Being Bit

Pedestrian-Safety-scaledWalking is a great way to get around and get some exercise in the process. Pedestrians can help reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying some fresh air. No wonder walking has become increasingly popular in recent times. However, if you prefer walking, being aware of the risks of being involved in a pedestrian accident is crucial. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a recent year alone, there were roughly 6,300 pedestrians killed in traffic-related accidents. When on foot, you are approximately 1.5 times more susceptible to being fatally injured in an accident than car occupants. 

Every 9 minutes, a pedestrian suffers injuries caused by contact with a vehicle. Given the vast difference between the weight and velocity of your average vehicle and a pedestrian, it is understandable why foot-travelers are so vulnerable, especially considering they lack all protections. Consequently, pedestrian accident injuries are rarely just minor cuts and bruises. 

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents

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